"Okay, okay, um, have you called Finn yet?" Kurt asked.  

"No, I wanted to get to you first. " She said

"Okay, if you would call him, have him call me so we can arrange travel, and I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Okay, I will.." she answered

"And Carole?" Kurt asked trying not to cry.

"Yes?" She answered

‘Tell him I love him and I'm on my way,  okay?" Kurt said with a sniff.  

"I will I promise." She answered

Kurt found Blaine's name in his contact list and hit call

"Hi honey!  wait whats wrong." Blaine said noting the pause it took for Kurt to answer

"It's Dad, he's in the ER, Carole thinks he's had a stroke." Kurt managed to get out.  

"I'm on my way home right now." Blaine answered immediately.  

"Thank you, kiddo. I love you!"  Kurt answered, hugging his son.

"I love you, too, Papa.  I'll talk to Mommy in my head and ask her to pray for Grandpa Burt," he said as he turned around to find his sister. Kurt hurried over to the computer and saw that the next flight left at 9 PM, which meant that they had two hours to get to the airport. Just then, his cell phone rang showing Finn's caller ID.  

"Kurt, LaGuardia, 9 o'clock?" Finn said in a rush.  

"Yeah, I'm on the webpage now. I'll book them."

"Okay, we'll meet you there?" Finn confirmed.

"Yeah. It'll be easier than trying to get to each other's houses," Kurt responded.

"I'm going to go pack now. We'll talk when we get there."  

"Yeah..."

"Okay, see you in a bit," Finn answered.

"Can you start packing, and I'll feed the kids?"  Kurt asked, trying to remain business-like because there was so much to do.  

"I'm on it," Blaine answered with a quick kiss and watched his husband leave the room.

Kurt went off to the kitchen to finish dinner.  He finished chopping the carrots and threw them in the pot of stew that would be done in half an hour.  He set the table, then turned down the burner low and went to pack his things.  

"Okay, don't fall apart, lots to do," he thought as he walked downstairs and back to the kitchen to check the stew.  

"Guys! Dinner's ready!" Kurt called.  He heard Gabriel and Elizabeth pattering down the stairs.  Blaine was heard carrying suitcases into the foyer.  

"I'm sorry Grandpa Burt's sick, Papa," Elizabeth said as she hugged Kurt. "I'm going to make him a picture to help him feel better," she added.  Kurt kissed the top of her head and hugged her back.  

"That would be a great idea, Lizzie," Blaine added as he walked into the kitchen and sat down at the table with Gabriel and Elizabeth.  Kurt dished out the stew.  

"Okay, gang. Eat fast. We have to leave in 30 minutes," Kurt reminded them.  He then went and grabbed his cell phone and called for a cab.  

"Elizabeth, are you bringing Dora?" Kurt asked as he was checking out the suitcases.  "If you are, put her in the carry on bag as soon as you are done eating."

When they got to the gate, they saw Rachel, Finn, and baby Joshua at the counter.  

"You made it," Finn said and pulled his brother into a hug.  That was when Kurt felt okay to loose it a little.  Kurt just started crying uncontrollably.  Finn just held him in that hug.  He knew why he broke down with Finn.  He was the only other person who had an idea of how he was feeling right now.  

After a few minutes, Kurt's crying had settled.  

"Sorry," he began wiping his eyes.  "Wait! Who is going to pick us up from the airport? I can't ask Carole to leave dad, and..." he was cut off by Finn.  

"I called Mr. Schue. He and Mrs. Schue are gonna pick us up.  I thought Mr. Schue could take us to the hospital, and Mrs.  Schue could take Blaine, Rachel, and the kids to the house."  Kurt marveled at Finn for a second. His job really helped him in an emergency- he thought of everything.  

"I know," Kurt said, returning the hug.  

"What do you need right now?" Blaine asked him.   

"Just stay close okay?" Kurt voiced gently.

"I'm right here," Blaine said taking Kurt's hand and entwining his fingers with Kurt's.  They didn't move until it was time to board the plane.  

When Finn and Kurt walked in the room, Burt was not there. Carole was however.  

"Mom!" Finn said as he went to hug her.  Kurt froze for a minute, suspected the worst and began to panic.  

"Oh, sweetie, they just took him for some more tests. They'll bring him back in a little bit," Carole explained as she hugged him, too.

"We do know it was a stroke," she continued, leading Kurt to sit down in an empty chair.  Right now they are scanning his brain to see how much activity is going on, and what damage there may be," she supplied.  

"Is he gonna make it?" Kurt asked, biting his fingernails, voice shaking.  

"Sweetheart, it's too soon to tell.  We'll know more once we get the brain scan results back," she answered, giving his hand a squeeze.  Finn sympathetically put his hand on Kurt's shoulder in support.   

"What happened, Carole? He seemed fine the other day," Kurt asked as he ran his fingers anxiously through his hair.  Kurt searched her expression for some sense of how bad off his father was.  

"Uhm, I had just gotten off my shift at the nursing home. Burt stayed home because he wasn't feeling good.  That should have been my first clue, I guess.  You know your dad, he never wants to stay home," she said wryly. "I was going to head to the store for diner, when I noticed him slumped over in this chair.  I immediately called the squad."  

Kurt stood up to pace the room.  He didn't know how to do this, but who would?

"Kurt, can I get you some coffee?" Finn asked after several minutes of silence.  

"Sure, thanks," Kurt answered distractedly.  Finn came back with the coffee about 15 minutes later.  He could see his mother start to fall apart a little, so he handed Kurt the coffee and went to comfort his mother.   Kurt sat quietly trying to hold it together.  He thought back to his father's heart attack his junior year of high school. He was kind of alone then. He didn't have Carole, Finn, or Blaine for that matter.  

After a  short time, Burt was brought back  into the room.  To Kurt's surprise, Dr. Chang, Mike's father was the doctor on duty. He explained that the brain wave tests revealed that Burt's brain wave activity was still fairly good, but they were unsure how much damage had been done.  He wasn't out of the woods though. They hoped he would wake up, but could make no guarantees.  

"Kurt, Mrs. Hummel, I want you to know,  I will do everything I can to help Burt get better.  If it's okay with you, may I let Tina and Mike know about your father's situation?  I'm sure they would be concerned," he asked.  

"Yeah, that's okay with me," Finn responded.  Kurt nodded his agreement.    

"Thank you Dr. Chang." Kurt pulled a chair over next to his father's bed and took his cold hand.  

"Kurt, it will probably a day or two before we know much about your father's condition and the extent of the damage he suffered during the stroke," Dr.  Chang informed gently. "I'll be in touch as soon as we have any useful information," he added.  

"I'd appreciate that," Kurt responded and turned his attention back to his father as Dr.  Chang left the room.  

"Hey, Dad. I'm here, okay?  Can you try to wake up for me?" he said, still holding his father's hand.  "Blaine, Rachel, and the kids are all at the house. They want to come see you when you wake up."  Carole pulled up another chair in the room to the other side of Burt's hospital bed.  

"Hey, honey.  I'm here, too," she said and kissed his hand.

After what seemed an interminable number of hours of sitting in silence, Carole spoke.  

"Kurt, you should probably get back to the house, I'm sure the kids are waiting for you, and you can stay tomorrow night, and I'll get some rest." Kurt thought about this.  Right now there wasn't much he could do for his dad and he had an aching need to be with Blaine right now.  His father was one of the most important people in his life,  and he didn't know if his dad was going to make it.  It was Blaine's comfort he needed at times like this.  Blaine just always seemed to know what Kurt needed.  

On the other hand, he felt guilty at the thought of leaving his dad and Carole right at the moment.  Kurt reasoned that Carole was probably right though.  There wasn't anything he could do at the moment, and it would help if he were rested for tomorrow.  

"Are you sure, Carole?  I would feel awful leaving you here alone," Kurt asked.  

"I'm sure, sweetheart. Finn will be here with me, and I'll go home and get some rest tomorrow," she reassured him.  "I promise to call if anything new happens, okay?"  

"Dad, I'm going back to the house to sleep for a little, I'll be back first thing in the morning." Kurt said squeezing his dad's hand.  "I love you," Kurt choked out. He walked over to Carole.  "I promise I'll be right back, if you need me," he said giving his stepmother a hug. Finn walked over to Kurt and gave him a comforting hug.

"I'll see you tomorrow okay?  We'll get through this as a family."

"Thanks, Finn. You're the best brother I could ever have asked for," Kurt responded. "I'll see you tomorrow," he finished, returning the hug.  Kurt left the room, went to the parking lot, got in his car and drove the familiar route to the house he grew up in.  As he pulled in the driveway, Kurt noticed that the television was on in the front room.  

"Blaine must have waited up," Kurt thought fondly.  

Kurt got out of the car and walked up the steps, turned the key, and opened the door.  Blaine looked like he had fallen asleep on the couch watching TV.  Kurt set his keys on the coffee table, and Blaine stirred from the clinking noise.  

"Kurt, hon, is that you?" he asked with one eye open.  

"Yeah, babe, it's me," Kurt replied, sinking into his dad's favorite chair.  

"Do we have any news since I last talked to you on the phone?" Blaine asked sitting up.  

"No," Kurt answered. "They wont know anything until more test results come back.  At this point, it's a waiting game," Kurt paused, all the emotions of the day creeping up on him.

"Blaine..." Kurt's voice broke. "What if...?" He couldn't finish the thought.  His head fell in his hands, hot tears threatening to break free.

Blaine got up from the couch and walked over to the chair to rub his husband's back and massage his shoulders consolingly. "I know, hon. We just have to hope for the best."

Kurt turned to Blaine. "How were the kids?" he asked.  

"They were fine although worried about Grandpa Burt, but they're okay," Blaine answered.  "It's pretty late. Why don't we get some sleep?" Blaine said pulling Kurt to his feet and into a tight hug.  

"I don't think I'll get much sleep," Kurt sighed.  "I just need you... really close."   Kurt said putting is arms around Blaine's shoulders and leaning his head there.  

"You have me, real close." Blaine answered kissing Kurt deeply.  He pulled Kurt's hands down and interlaced his husbands  hands with his own and lead them up to Kurt's old bedroom.  

They got up to the bedroom and turned on the light.  Kurt started to go for his suitcase only to see  that Blaine had already unpacked it.  Blaine came up  behind him, wrapped his hands around his waist, and put his head on Kurt's shoulder.   

"Hey,  why don't you go ahead and lay down, let me take care of you," Blaine whispered in his ear.  Blaine turned him around and pulled Kurt's shirt off.  Kurt fell lazily on the bed while Blaine went to the dresser and pulled out Kurt's favorite blue silk pajamas.  As Blaine undressed and put him into the pants, Kurt's mind wandered to all the intimate moments they shared in this bedroom during high school.  It was things like this, the little things, like unpacking his suitcase for him and getting Kurt ready for bed after a long and difficult day, that made him love this man so much.  With the frenzy of jobs and children, it sometimes was easy to loose sight of that.  Kurt stared deeply into Blaine's eyes as his husband lied beside him

"I love you, you know," Kurt began.  

"I love you, too. So much.  We'll get through this, I promise," Blaine said, raising one hand to his partner's cheek and gently stroking it with his thumb.  

Kurt had a need to show him how much.  He began kissing Blaine's neck, then his lips,  letting his tongue explore Blaine's mouth running his hands along Blaine's chest.  Blaine deepened the kiss, letting his husband take control.  Kurt's hands ran down Blaine's chest toward his pajama shorts, teasing just a little.  Kisses became faster and more intense, passion building as they allowed their bodies to connect in the most intimate way.  

The next morning, it took Kurt a few seconds  to remember where he was and why he was there.  He heard a knock at the door.  He looked at the clock and noted it was eight in the morning.  Making sure Blaine was covered and throwing on his robe, he answered the door.

"Yeah?" Kurt answered wearily.  Seeing it was Elizabeth, he softened a little.  

"Papa, I'm hungry." Kurt sighed, some things never changed.  

"I'm coming. I'll get you some cereal, okay?" Kurt followed Elizabeth into the kitchen.  He rummages through the cupboards and finds some Applejacks and pulls them down.  

"Are Applejacks okay, Lizzie?" Kurt asks sleepily.  A few seconds later Gabriel came down as well in his Spiderman PJs, rubbing his eyes.  

"Apple Jacks are good, thanks papa." She responded with a yawn.  

"Morning Papa," he says quietly, unsure of how to act around his sad Papa. Kurt gave Gabriel and Elizabeth cereal and juice and himself a cup of coffee.  Rachel entered the room carrying Joshua.  

"Hey, Kurt, did Finn stay at the hospital with Carole?" she asked.  

"Yeah, he did.  He didn't want to leave Carole. They told me to come back and get some sleep, and I'll stay tonight."

"Papa, how's Grandpa Burt?" Elizabeth asked with obvious concern in her voice.  "Can we go see him today?"

"He's still pretty sick sweetie. He's going to be sick for awhile." Kurt pressed a kiss to the top of her hair. "I'm sorry, but they won't let kids in the part of the hospital where he's in," Kurt said sympathetically.  If he was being honest with himself, he didn't know if he wanted his children to see his father in that condition anyway.  

"Good morning, Aunt Rachel," Gabriel greeted her.  

"Hey, Gabe, how's my favorite nephew?" Rachel asked pulling him into a one armed hug.  

"Can I hold Joshua?" he asked eagerly.  

"When you're done with your breakfast," Rachel said, pointing to his bowl.  Rachel put Joshua in the high chair and walked over to Kurt to hug him.  

"How are you holding up?" she asked her best friend.  

"I'm hanging in there," Kurt responded wearily, kissing her forehead. "Thanks."

After breakfast was finished and the dishes cleared up, and everyone showered for the day Finn came home, which was Kurt's cue to head to the hospital with Blaine.   

Blaine knelt down to be at eye level with them.  "Gabe and Lizzie, I want you to be really good for Aunt Rachel  and Uncle Finn okay?  Uncle Finn needs to sleep for awhile because he was at the hospital with Grandpa Burt last night, and Aunt Rachel needs help with Baby Joshua.  Can you do that for me?" Blaine asked their children.   

"But why can't we go with you to the hospital?" Lizzie pouted.  

Kurt was standing next to Blaine checking that he had everything.  "Lizzie, I told you earlier, they don't let children in the room where Grandpa Burt is honey.  I have the cards you made for him, and we'll put them up in the room so he'll see them when he wakes up, okay?" Kurt said trying not to loose patience.  He knew they were only worried about their grandpa.   "Come give daddy and me a hug before we go."  Gabriel, always the trooper, hugged both of them, but Lizzie started crying.  "I want to see Grandpa Burt!  It's not fair!" she stamped her foot and ran toward the door..  Kurt was about to raise his voice, but Finn stepped in catching her before she ran out the door.  .  

"Lizzie, I know you want to go," he said picking her up.  "It sucks not being allowed  to do something you want to do doesn't it?" Finn stroked her hair.  "But part of being a big girl is following the rules, even when we don't like them.  You know Papa and Daddy would take you if they could, right?"  She began to soften her crying.  "I know, I just love Grandpa Burt, and I want to tell him."  

Kurt walked over to Finn and Elizabeth.  He thought about how he would feel in Lizzie's place,  How we would feel if he wasn't able to see someone he loved and tell them he loved them.  "I know you do sweetie, and he loves you too, and we will bring you as soon as we're allowed."  Kurt said gently.  

"I have an idea Lizzie, how bout we use my phone and take a video of you and Gabriel saying hi to Grandpa Burt and you can tell him I love you, then papa and I can show it to him when we get there?"  Blaine  suggested.  

"That's a good compromise Daddy." she said in her I'm going to be a big girl now voice.  

After the video was taken and second hugs given, Kurt and Blaine left for the hospital.   They drove to the hospital with minimal conversation, both lost in their thoughts.   Kurt held Blaine's hand as they walked through the hallways toward Burt's room.  Walking in the room, Blaine tried not to show his shock at how Burt looked.  He didn't look like himself at all, his features were just somehow off.  He noticed Carole sitting by Burt.  

"Hey Carole, I'm so sorry.." Blaine said walking over to hug his mother-in-law.  

"I know sweetheart, thanks for being here." She responded hugging Blaine back tightly.  

"Anything new?" Kurt asked biting his fingernails and taking a seat in the chair opposite Carole.

"No, not yet.  The doctor said he'd come by about 10:30, so he should be here any minute."  She answered massaging her neck which seemed to be stiff.  She looked like she hadn't slept a wink Kurt thought, she probably hadn't.  

Blaine walked over and massaged her neck for her.  "Carole, why don't you go home and try to get some rest, Kurt and I will be here." Blaine offered

"Thanks Blaine, I will as soon as the doctor comes." she said relaxing a bit as he massaged her shoulders a bit as well.  

Kurt took Burt's hand as he had done last night.  "Hey dad, I'm back, Blaine's here too." Kurt said softly.  Blaine finished massaging Carole's shoulders and pulled a chair over and sat next to Kurt.  

They had been sitting that way  quietly for about 20 minutes when Dr.  Chang came in.  "Good morning." He said reading his clipboard.   Looking up from the clipboard, he noticed Blaine... "Blaine, good to see you, though I wish it were under better circumstances."  

"Hey Dr.  Chang.  how's Mike?" Blaine asked. shaking Dr.  Chang's hand.  

"He's well, still teaching at Joffery.  Both he and Tina say hello and wanted me to tell you they are keeping Mr. Hummel here in their prayers.   I spoke with them earlier this morning. "  

"After consulting with the neurologist, I do have some news for you about his condition."  He said.  "Based on the brain scans and the tests we have run so far, It appears that the stroke was localized to the left side of his brain, in the areas we typically associate with speech and fine motor control." He began, "but it looks like brain activity is pretty good, he should be able to hear you.  Although his condition is serious there are some definite hopeful signs that Mr.  Hummel will recover. "  Dr.  Chang  looked directly at Carole.  "I must tell you, that he will require a significant amount of both physical and speech therapy.  We'll know a lot more when he wakes, but it could be months if not  years before he is able to walk and speak normally, if he is ever able too.  He may also have some trouble seeing as well.  He will need a significant amount of help at home I'm sure."

"Do you know when he will wake up?" Kurt asked nervously.  

"It's really hard to say, when the body suffers an event like this,..how can I explain..." he paused for a minute or so.  "Think of the brain as a computer, when something happens to a computer, it shuts down things that are non-essential in order for it to repair it self to do more complicated things.  Assuming he does not take a turn for the worse, it could be a few hours or a couple of days before he wakes while his brain is repairing itself."  

"But he will wake up though?" Blaine asked

"I don't like to make any guarantees in cases like these, son."  he said compassionately  "With strokes, things can change very quickly, but at the moment, he is not in a vegetative state and that is the good news."

"So assuming nothing else goes wrong, we think he will survive this stroke, but he's going to need a lot of care while he recovers, and he may not fully recover?"   Carole clarified.

"That would be an accurate summary Mrs.  Hummel.  but like I say, things can change quickly so we are monitoring him very very closely. "    Dr.  Chang put his hand on Carole's shoulder.   "If you have any questions,  please take my card, and you may call me anytime."  he said softly as he handed her his business card.  "I am personally overseeing his case, and I am consulting with the top neurologist in the state."

All three thanked Dr. Chang for his help, as he excused himself from the room.  "Well, that's kind of a good news bad news report, but considering the alternative,  I"ll take it." Carole said looking somewhat relieved.  "I'm going to head back to the house and rest.  I"ll  be back after dinner.  I"ll bring you some food when I come back."  she said hugging her boys.  

Returning her hug Kurt said "I'll call you if anything changes okay?"

"Thanks sweetheart." she whispered

"Burt honey, I'll be back in a few hours okay?  I love you."  she said softly as she pressed a kiss to his forehead before leaving the room.

Blaine sighed and pulled Kurt closer to him.  "This is going to be a long road." he thought aloud.  

Kurt turned to Blaine and fixed his gaze on him.  "Blaine, I've been thinking." he took a long breath.  "As much as I hate to say it, I don't think Carole will be able to care for dad on her own.  She's going to need a lot of help over the long term."

"We need to think about moving back to Ohio, don't we?" Blaine asked sadly, taking Kurt's hand.  

"God, it's hard to even think about... New York's been great for us.  We love living there." Kurt's voice trailed off.  

"I know, but family comes first.  We'll do what we need to do, okay?" he said pressing a soft kiss to Kurt's cheek.  Inwardly Blaine was devastated about the prospect, they had fought so hard to build a life in New York.  In Ohio, their marriage wasn't even legal, something that worried him.  His eyes flickered to Burt.  But, how could they not try to help?

Shortly before dinner, Blaine left to allow Carole and Finn to come to to the hospital.  As promised Carole brought some of her homemade meatloaf and potatoes for the three of them.  They sat there eating in silence when Finn noticed Burt's eyes flicker open.  Kurt and Carole saw Finn get up and walk over to Burt... and noticed the same thing.  

"Dad?" Kurt said starting to tear up..."Dad, can you hear me?  Squeeze my hand" Kurt pleaded taking his hand.  

"Burt, honey, we're here" Carole said softly stroking his forehead.  "Can you hear us?"

Kurt felt his father squeeze his hand a little.  All three of them heard a moan.  "Finn, go get the nurse..." she said urgently.  Finn as his mother instructed.  

Several nurses flew into the room, Nurse Nancy even had a tear in her eye.  Kurt remembered her as the nurse who took care of his dad after his heart attack.  "I'll page Dr.  Chang." one of the nurses said leaving the room.  

The next few hours were a blur of nurses and doctors and more tests being run.  Kurt stepped out to call Blaine to tell him that Burt woke up.  

"Hi Grandpa Burt, it's Lizzie" the little girls voice was heard over the phone

"And Gabe" their son had chimed in.  "we hope you get better soon okay?   We want to come see you." The boy continued on the video

"We love you so much Grandpa  Burt, we'll come see you as soon as we are allowed." Lizzie's voice was heard to say.  

"Love you Grandpa Burt." Gabriel had finished waving at the camera.